Landfill activity in Algonquin Highlands was up in 2023, with vehicle counts, waste collection, and recyclable drop offs all seeing an increase.
Melissa Murray, the township’s environmental manager, provided her annual landfill reports to council March 21, which included data from the Maple Lake, Pine Springs, and Oxtongue Lake locations. The highlight, she said, is that all sites have been operating in compliance with the township’s environmental targets for 2023, as established by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP).
“I think it’s good news… there’s nothing significant that’s triggered any [negative] events as far as sampling goes and water quality. Any impacts to the environment are as expected and within allowable limits,” Murray said.
The reports were compiled by Peterborough-based consulting and engineering firm Cambium Inc, using tracking data from 2023.
The Maple Lake site added a total of 745 tonnes of waste to the landfill this year – 670 tonnes from local residential waste, and 75 tonnes diverted from the Dorset Transfer Station. Murray stated the landfill has a remaining capacity of 133,660 cubic metres, with an expected lifespan of 47 years.
Last year’s vehicle count was 30,285, up from 29,699 in 2022 and 26,904 in 2021. Murray noted recycling efforts at Maple Lake have been successful, with 227.57 tonnes of blue box materials, 8.85 tonnes of electronic waste, 119.91 tonnes of scrap metal, 1.45 tonnes of household batteries, 686 tires, and 91 household appliances (fridges, ovens, washing machines) diverted from the landfill.
The Pine Springs landfill also saw an increase in activity. The site collected 353 tonnes of waste in 2023 – 76 tonnes of local residential waste and 283 tonnes of material diverted from the Dorset Transfer Station. Murray noted the landfill has an anticipated remaining lifespan of 100 years.
Vehicle counts were up marginally, to 3,008 last year from 2,898 in 2022. Murray noted 5,229 garbage bags were collected in 2023, up from 4,476 the previous year. A further 13.95 tonnes of blue box recycling was collected at the site.
The Oxtongue Lake landfill reported the lowest numbers – with 79 tonnes of residential waste disposed of in 2023. Murray said 5,616 bags of household garbage were dropped off last year, down from 5,716 bags in 2022. She added the site has a remaining lifespan of 70 years.
Vehicle counts remained stable from the prior year, with 4,397 in 2023. This was just three more than 2022 – at 4,394.
The township also collected 28.84 tonnes of blue box recyclables, 2.92 tonnes of waste electronics, eight tonnes of scrap metal, 301 tires, and 91 appliances at the site.
Murray noted all closure-related activities at the former Hawk Lake landfill were completed last spring. The site was closed in October 2021, with capping of the landfill finished by November 2022. The MECP confirmed the closure was deemed complete by March 31, 2023.
There was no report on the Dorset Transfer Station, with those statistics compiled biannually, Murray noted. She noted there was limited activity at the McClintock Lagoon, with no septage disposed in 2023.
Hazardous waste events in Algonquin Highlands
Algonquin Highlands will host three household hazardous waste events this year – one each at the Oxtongue Lake landfill, Dorset Transfer Station, and Maple Lake landfill.
During budget deliberations, council opted to host three events this year, rather than the four initially planned, saving around $6,000. A June 8 event at Maple Lake has been scrapped.
Oxtongue Lake will accept items such as batteries, motor oil, pool chemicals, fertilizers, antifreeze, bleach, fluorescent lamps, paint, fire extinguishers and cleaning products Aug. 24, from 1 to 5 p.m. Other events are scheduled at the Dorset Transfer Station Sept. 14, from 1 to 5 p.m., and at Maple Lake Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There will also be three events in each of Highlands East, Minden Hills, and Dysart.
